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Waves on Lake Huron. View of Chantry Island on cloudy day from sandy shore.

Beaches

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People come from all over to visit and enjoy Saugeen Shores' beautiful, sandy beaches. Here you will find incredible sunsets, opportunities for swimming, water sports, relaxing, and picnic areas and playgrounds. Our beaches offer something for everyone during any family outing.

You can also find many attractions and sights near the beach, such as passing sailboats and Chantry Island.

Find a Beach

For more information, view details and locations of each of our beaches.

Beach Rules and Etiquette

To maintain an enjoyable experience for all beach users, the Town's Parks by-law governs what is and is not permitted on the Town's beaches. Please review the rules below when planning your visit. View the Parks by-law.

General Rules

  • No barbecues, open fires or fireworks are permitted on the beach
  • Public use barbecues are available in the park area east of the Port Elgin harbour
  • Enclosed tents are not permitted
  • Small sun shelters and umbrellas are permitted (maximum 2 metres by 2 metres)
  • Dogs are not permitted on the beaches from May to October except in designated dog-friendly areas
  • No motorized or electric vehicles on the beach
  • Boats are not permitted to moor on or pick-up passengers from shore
  • No motorized watercraft in designed swim areas marked by buoys
  • Put garbage in provided garbage cans. If they're full, take it with you
  • Do not dispose of household garbage or leave broken items beside garbage cans
  • Do not feed the wildlife. Geese and seagulls will become more aggressive
  • Walk your wheels on the Port Elgin beach promenade and Southampton beach boardwalk
  • Stay off the beach grass and dunes. Use designated boardwalks and access points
  • No open alcohol
  • Avoid loud music that is disruptive to other beachgoers

Dog Beaches

Dogs are not permitted on our beaches between May 1st and October 1st, except in the following locations:

  • Saugeen River mouth to High Street flagpole (permitted 6:00 pm to 9:00 am only)
  • 538 Izzard Rd. to Concession 6/Bruce Rd. 25 (permitted 6:00 pm to 9:00 am only)
  • North end of Eckford Ave. to Saugeen River mouth (permitted 24-7)
  • 28 Miramichi Bay Rd. to Elgin St. beach access (permitted 24-7)

View maps of dog beach locations

Beach Maintenance

The Saugeen Shores Beach Maintenance Plan outlines the actions taken by the Town to care for our 18 km of shoreline. The shoreline is divided into 10 maintenance areas, each with specific instructions regarding care of facilities and land.

 Actions Included in the Plan

  • Garbage collection
  • Litter removal
  • Lifesaving station maintenance
  • Beach access points
  • Beach grooming
  • Dunes
  • Invasive species control
  • Grass cutting
  • Parking lot maintenance
  • Washroom maintenance
  • Water quality testing
  • Playground maintenance
  • Snow fencing

WaterWheels Accessible Wheelchair Rentals

Bookings are available this summer from May 19 to September 1, 2025.

What are WaterWheels?
 WaterWheels are floating, three-wheeled beach buggy chairs that allow access to beaches and water. Both adults and children can use WaterWheels.

 

Learn more about how the WaterWheels work, including access to their instruction manual.

Where and How to Book

 Port Elgin: The wheelchair can be booked online and is available for pickup through the Harbour Office.

Southampton: The wheelchair can be booked online and is located at 1 Beach Road (Long Dock parking area) for self-service pickup.

There are two booking periods available per day, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Individuals can book the wheelchair for two consecutive periods when available.

A support person is required as the chair cannot be manually pushed by the user due to the large smooth tires.

Book WaterWheels Online

Renter Responsibilities
  • Assess your participant's/user's ability to swim; non-swimmers must provide and use a lifejacket.
  • Do not use the WaterWheels without a support person or in unsafe weather or water conditions. 
  • Do not take the WaterWheels to another location. It can be used along the Southampton beach waterfront.  
  • Port Elgin: Clean chair by sweeping sand off (using broom provided) and spray down if needed (using tap and hose located outside the storage site). Wipe off any excess moisture (using paper towels provided). This is to be outside before putting the chair in the storage site.  
  • Southampton: Clean chair by sweeping sand off (using broom provided) and wiping down with sanitizer wipes provided. 

Water Safety

Everyone has a role to play in water safety. This summer the Town of Saugeen Shores has launched a new safety initiative to help businesses and the public educate themselves or their visitors about water safety and how to enjoy the water safely. The rack cards include water safety information and safe boating practices.

Rack cards are available for free to any business including cottage parks, campgrounds, short-term rentals, hotels and motels and equipment rental providers to distribute to their patrons or guests. Contact us to request your cards.

Request safety cards

Lifejacket Loaner Program

The Lifejacket Loaner Program is located at the Port Elgin Main Beach (132 Green Street) and operated from the Beach House washroom building. Starting on the May long weekend, lifejackets, ranging in size from kids to adult (XL), are available to borrow free of charge from the loaner station.

The public can visit the station and borrow a lifejacket. The program is self-serve and first come, first serve. Informational signage on site shows folks how to properly use a lifejacket.

How to Properly Use a Lifejacket

  1. Check label for correct size.
  2. Scan lifejacket for rips or broken parts (buckles, zippers).
  3. Put on jacket and fasten all buckles and zippers.
  4. Lift up at shoulders to test the fit. 
  5. Use the jacket, then return to the life jacket loaner station when finished.

If equipment is damaged, please return to Harbour Office (132 Elgin Street). 

Lifejacket Quick Facts  

  • Wearing a lifejacket or PFD is the most effective way to reduce boating-related drownings in Canada.  

  • Wearing a lifejacket or a PFD can prevent 90% of boating-related drownings.  

  • Most people who drown are within 15 meters of safety.    

  • Lead by example and help make sure that all passengers on your boat have properly secured their lifejackets or PFDs.

The program is currently only available to access from the Port Elgin Main Beach. The program will be evaluated following the 2024 season. Learn more about the funding support that made this pilot program possible. 

Water and Boating Safety Tips

Swimming Safety

  • Always swim with a buddy
  • Avoid distractions like cellphones, books or electronics
  • Directly supervise kids in and around the water
  • Stay within arms-length of kids who are swimming
  • Do not swim in the harbour
  • White and orange buoys mean boats are prohibited
  • Do not overestimate your swimming abilities
  • Be aware of off-shore breezes especially on floaties or boogie boards; the water may look calm but can quickly pull you out deep
  • Plan for, and watch the weather
  • Wear a lifejacket on all watercraft
  • Learn to swim; it's a life skill

Safe Boating Practices

These safe boating tips are good practice whether operating a motorized or non-motorized watercraft including paddleboards.

  • Never boat alone; let someone know when, where and for how long you will be away for
  • Connect your leash on stand-up paddle (SUP) boards
  • Have a signaling device like a whistle
  • Know the conditions before leaving
  • No drinking or drugs while boating or boarding
  • Wear a lifejacket or PFD
  • Keep a safety bucket on board (boats)

If your watercraft is motorized:

  • Don't bring your watercraft ashore
  • Reduce speed to 10km/hr within 30 metres of shore
  • Avoid entering swimming areas
  • Float in less busy areas
  • Carry your valid boaters license

Waterfront Safety Guide

Request a copy of the guide with best practices for staying safe around the water. Learn more about topics such as:

  • Being wave and current smart
  • Supervision around water
  • Tips to prevent drowning and swim safe
  • Water safety statistics
  • How to break the grip of a rip tide

 Water Safety Videos

Life Saving Stations: How to Use the Equipment

Along our shoreline we have 38 life saving stations, which are here for the safety of our residents and visitors. In this short video, we'll show you how to use them if the need arises. Together we can keep our beaches safe this summer!

Open Water Safety

Children and families love to spend time around the water and Saugeen shores beaches! To make sure everyone has fun this summer, it's important to know how to stay safe and be Water Smart. Join us as we share how to enjoy a fun, safe day at the beach.

Backyard Pool Safety

Swimming in a backyard pool is a fun way to stay active and keep kids busy on hot days! Watch as we show you how to make sure family and friends stay safe this summer.

 Water Safety Resources

  • National Drowning Prevention Week: Safety messages, stats and activities
  • Ontario Lifesaving Society: Water and backyard pool safety resources
  • Red Cross: Swimming, boating and water safety tips
  • Boating Ontario: Safe boating practices

Waterfront Best Management Principles

View the guide for sustainable shoreline properties in the Town of Saugeen Shores. Highlights include:

  • Where to start
  • Anatomy of a healthy beach
  • Lake levels and beaches processes
  • Restoring your beach
  • Managing storm water, pathways and set backs
  • Resilient property checklist

Waterfront Master Plan

Our beaches are a crucial part of our Waterfront Master Plan. View the plan to learn more about topics such as:

  • Beach grooming
  • Signage
  • Dogs on beaches
  • Parking
  • Lookout areas

The plan guides the Town of Saugeen Shores in enhancing the waterfront. It aims to coordinate and link the communities of Southampton, Port Elgin and Saugeen Township to protect the waterfront for residents, visitors and future generations.

The Port Elgin Waterfront Design Concept provides a comprehensive year-round vision and conceptual design for the Port Elgin waterfront that complements the Waterfront Master Plan.

Cedar Crescent Village Project

The Town of Saugeen Shores is pleased to announce the next step of its revitalization and renewal of its world-class waterfront.  The Cedar Crescent Village will provide an anchor facility for tourism and recreation-related businesses to serve beachgoers directly, and is one of the keystones to the Town's Waterfront Master Plan.

To learn more about this exciting project, click here.

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Contact Us

Town of Saugeen Shores

600 Tomlinson Drive, P.O. Box 820

Port Elgin ON N0H 2C0

Phone 519-832-2008

Toll Free 1-866-832-2008

Fax 519-832-2140

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